Shake whatever perceptions you have of 24-hour convenience stores, and get ready for the new East Side Open Pantry, which opens Friday at 1609 E. North Ave., the former home of Downer Garage.
Located in a new 6,400-square foot development, the new OP features a walk-in beer cooler and a circular layout that’s, well, convenient. There’s everything you’d expect from an OP, but the options are a bit more upscale, especially the beer selection and even the rest rooms with granite and Kohler appliances. There’s a shake and smoothie machine, full fountain sodas with flavor enhancers, coffee, teas (sweat tea, even) and more.
Watch for an official grand opening in May, and a block party for the neighborhood and students, too.
It's right next door to the new Classic Slice, too, which has great pizza and calzones as big as your head.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
